dilation and engagement

does baby's head have to be fully engaged before dilation starts or can dilation start early and are there any signs that it has begun apart from the mucous plug? Also when do MW/Doctor check to see if dilation has started?

its mine first too...no experience..but it happened in so many cases that baby doesnt start engaging even after dilation....
but when baby get engage it leads to the shortening of cervix...
shortening of cervix means efacement...dilation means opening of cervix...

dr/mw ill check ur cervix through ultra sound if u show any concern...or tel them about contraction...or pressure in the bottom..or bleeding or water break...

when ur case is normal then they il keep checking u and wait for ur edd...

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